One year ago today, I was ten days overdue with my baby boy and ready to burst. During a checkup with my doctor, he said he was going to “strip my membranes” to move things along, and before I could so much as “whaaa?” I was officially having contractions. (Note to readers: If ever your OB threatens to “strip your membranes,” I suggest you buckle up.)
The doctor sent me away to labor at home – on the exercise ball, in the shower, while attempting to bake cookies for the nurses – and Jake finally took me to the hospital at 5:00 PM at four centimeters dialated. We’d hired a wonderful doula who tried her hardest to get me a tub room in the hospital, but those two rooms were already occupied…by women who’d ended up opting for epidurals and couldn’t leave their rooms. So I muscled forward, hanging onto Jake for several contractions and breaking water all over his shoes.
At about seven centimeters I finally begged asked for the epidural, but it was too late – nothing could have helped me at that point. I knew the end was near when the nurses called the doctor in, which ended up being about two minutes before I gave birth. And at 11:37 PM on May 10, 2010, a gorgeous, slimy Seabass was placed in my arms and life as I knew it changed forever.
This has been the hardest year of my life, without question. In fact, I found my first grey hair last week and laughed. Of course it came this year! But it has also been my year of greatest discovery and growth. Jake and I are closer than ever to each other, and our hearts have burst open with love for this hilarious, bizarre, beautiful, new little person.
Happy birthday, you wild, untameable Seabass, you.
I am Jaime, wife to Jacob. We are the smitten, stupefied, sometimes scared silly parents of a precious boy nicknamed Seabass and a darling girl nicknamed Sweet Chuck.
Higher Highs, Lower Lows 
Happy birthday to that cutie!!
Happy Birthday!!
What a precious video! Hooray for mommy & daddy surviving the first year! 😉
Yeah for year one! I just love him and his cute little smile. Congrats on surviving the first year.
Happy Birthday to your precious little one! Glad you all made it through this past year. You are one adorable family! 🙂
Thanks for sharing your most precious story. Congratulations on his first birthday!!
What a tribute. Happy Mother’s Day to you. You are a fabulous mother and C-bass is lucky to have you as his mommy.
Absolutely Adorable! His smile is too precious!
Congratulations and Happy Birthday Seabass! You are an inspiration to this Mommy of a 10 week old.
Oh honey. Hang in there!